26/11, a date remembered in infamy, forever etched into India's consciousness. While the nation will forever be indebt to the NSG, army and the Mumbai police for safeguarding Mumbai and combating terrorism, let us pause and pay tribute to those unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation. (BCCL)

26/11, a date remembered in infamy, forever etched into India's consciousness. While the nation will forever be indebt to the NSG, army and the Mumbai police for safeguarding Mumbai and combating terrorism, let us pause and pay tribute to those unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation. (BCCL)

<b><i>SPI Vijay Salaskar</i></b>: Salaskar was a renowned encounter specialist who was the head of the Anti-Extortion Cell in Mumbai - Photogallery

SPI Vijay Salaskar: Salaskar was a renowned encounter specialist who was the head of the Anti-Extortion Cell in Mumbai. He, who had neutralized several dreaded criminals over the years, decided to take on these terrorists too. On hearing about the location of the terrorists, he drove his jeep along the vicinity of Cama Hospital. In spite of being able to fire and injure one of the terrorist, he succumbed to bullet wounds.

SPI Vijay Salaskar: Salaskar was a renowned encounter specialist who was the head of the Anti-Extortion Cell in Mumbai. He, who had neutralized several dreaded criminals over the years, decided to take on these terrorists too. On hearing about the location of the terrorists, he drove his jeep along the vicinity of Cama Hospital. In spite of being able to fire and injure one of the terrorist, he succumbed to bullet wounds.

Hemant Karkare: Maharashta Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad chief, Hemant was among the 11 police officials who were killed while fighting terrorists in Mumbai. Karkare, 54, was killed in a shootout with terrorists at the Taj Intercontinental Hotel where terrorists took many hostages.

Hemant Karkare: Maharashta Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad chief, Hemant was among the 11 police officials who were killed while fighting terrorists in Mumbai. Karkare, 54, was killed in a shootout with terrorists at the Taj Intercontinental Hotel where terrorists took many hostages.

<b><i>Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan</b></i>: Part of the country's elite National Security Guards (NSG), Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, 31, was killed while in combat with terrorists - Photogallery

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan: Part of the country's elite National Security Guards (NSG), Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, 31, was killed while in combat with terrorists. During the Taj operation, when one of his colleagues got injured, Major Unnikrishnan's message to him was 'Do not come up, I will handle them'. He engaged the terrorists all by himself and eventually succumbed to bullet wounds.

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan: Part of the country's elite National Security Guards (NSG), Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, 31, was killed while in combat with terrorists. During the Taj operation, when one of his colleagues got injured, Major Unnikrishnan's message to him was 'Do not come up, I will handle them'. He engaged the terrorists all by himself and eventually succumbed to bullet wounds.

<b><i>ACP Ashok Kamte</i></b>: He was a highly experienced police service officer who was also an accomplished athlete, one who had represented India in the junior power lifting championships in Peru in 1978 - Photogallery

ACP Ashok Kamte: He was a highly experienced police service officer who was also an accomplished athlete, one who had represented India in the junior power lifting championships in Peru in 1978. He along with others decided to do the same with the 26/11 terrorists but was ambushed from behind. He managed to fire at them but was eventually shot dead by a volley of bullets.

ACP Ashok Kamte: He was a highly experienced police service officer who was also an accomplished athlete, one who had represented India in the junior power lifting championships in Peru in 1978. He along with others decided to do the same with the 26/11 terrorists but was ambushed from behind. He managed to fire at them but was eventually shot dead by a volley of bullets.

<b><i>Gajender Singh</i></b>: A hawaldar with the NSG, Gajender Singh also lost his life fighting with the terrorists - Photogallery

Gajender Singh: A hawaldar with the NSG, Gajender Singh also lost his life fighting with the terrorists. The 36-year-old commando Gajender Singh was part of the team of NSG commandos who were abseiled on the roof of Nariman House in an operation to neutralize terrorists holding at least six hostages inside. Paving the way for others to follow, Gajendra kept on facing bullets fired by the terrorists at him.

Gajender Singh: A hawaldar with the NSG, Gajender Singh also lost his life fighting with the terrorists. The 36-year-old commando Gajender Singh was part of the team of NSG commandos who were abseiled on the roof of Nariman House in an operation to neutralize terrorists holding at least six hostages inside. Paving the way for others to follow, Gajendra kept on facing bullets fired by the terrorists at him.

<b><i>Assistant Sub- Inspector Tukaram Omble</b></i>: Omble was on duty on the night of the attacks and was ordered to position on Marine Drive - Photogallery

Assistant Sub- Inspector Tukaram Omble: Omble was on duty on the night of the attacks and was ordered to position on Marine Drive. During the struggle, Kasab managed to fire several rounds which struck Omble in the abdomen. He was taken to the hospital where he died and later was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peace time gallantry award for his services to the nation.

Assistant Sub- Inspector Tukaram Omble: Omble was on duty on the night of the attacks and was ordered to position on Marine Drive. During the struggle, Kasab managed to fire several rounds which struck Omble in the abdomen. He was taken to the hospital where he died and later was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peace time gallantry award for his services to the nation.

Karambir Singh Kang: The General Manager of Taj Mahal Hotel lost everything in the hotel he worked for - Photogallery

Karambir Singh Kang: The General Manager of Taj Mahal Hotel lost everything in the hotel he worked for. His wife and two sons aged 14 and 5 perished as a result of terror attacks in the hotel. Inspite of all this, he stayed back to help those stuck in the hotel.

Karambir Singh Kang: The General Manager of Taj Mahal Hotel lost everything in the hotel he worked for. His wife and two sons aged 14 and 5 perished as a result of terror attacks in the hotel. Inspite of all this, he stayed back to help those stuck in the hotel.

<b><i>Sandra Samuel</i></b>: The Nanny of the Israeli household in Nariman Point, Sandra Samuel had saved the life of the 2-year-old baby Moshe - Photogallery

Sandra Samuel: The Nanny of the Israeli household in Nariman Point, Sandra Samuel had saved the life of the 2-year-old baby Moshe. With the terrorists still inside the house, Sandra Samuel rescued the child and found her way out. The Israeli government is considering her the nation's highest honour 'Righteous among the Nations'.

Sandra Samuel: The Nanny of the Israeli household in Nariman Point, Sandra Samuel had saved the life of the 2-year-old baby Moshe. With the terrorists still inside the house, Sandra Samuel rescued the child and found her way out. The Israeli government is considering her the nation's highest honour 'Righteous among the Nations'.